NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 2: Advancing Nursing Practice Through Evidence-Based Change
Course Context
NURS FPX 4015, part of Capella University’s RN-to-BSN FlexPath program, emphasizes NURS FPX the role of nurses in driving improvements in patient care through leadership, evidence-based practice (EBP), and professional communication. Assessment 2 typically focuses on identifying a clinical issue, reviewing current evidence, and proposing a change strategy that aligns with patient-centered care and organizational goals.
Purpose of Assessment 2
The objective of NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 2 is to give nursing students the opportunity to:
- Apply evidence-based research to a real-world clinical problem.
- Demonstrate skills in critical thinking and clinical reasoning.
- Formulate a practical, patient-centered change proposal.
- Strengthen leadership and collaboration abilities in the healthcare setting.
Key Components of the Assessment
1. Identifying the Clinical Problem
The starting point is to select a relevant, high-impact clinical issue from your current or recent practice setting. Common topics include:
- Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) prevention.
- Reducing patient falls.
- Improving medication administration safety.
- Enhancing patient discharge education.
- Addressing nurse burnout and retention.
Tips for selection:
- Choose a topic you are passionate about.
- Ensure the problem has enough peer-reviewed literature to support your research.
- Align it with your organization’s strategic goals and patient safety priorities.
2. Reviewing the Literature
This section involves comprehensive evidence gathering to support your change proposal.
- Use databases like CINAHL, PubMed, and ProQuest.
- Include 5–10 scholarly sources published within the last 5 years.
- Evaluate the strength of evidence using frameworks such as the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Model or Melnyk’s Levels of Evidence.
Example:
If addressing falls prevention, you might compare evidence on bed alarms vs. hourly rounding to determine the most effective intervention.
3. Developing an Evidence-Based Change Strategy
After identifying the problem and reviewing research, create a clear, actionable plan.
Key considerations:
- Specific intervention: What exactly will be implemented? (e.g., hourly rounding protocol, new patient education program)
- Stakeholders: Who will be involved? (nurses, physicians, patients, families, administration)
- Resources required: Budget, staffing, technology, training.
- Implementation timeline: Short-term, mid-term, and long-term goals.
4. Leadership and Communication
A major component of Assessment 2 is demonstrating how you will lead and communicate effectively during change implementation.
Strategies:
- Use transformational leadership to inspire team members.
- Provide regular updates through staff meetings, emails, or huddles.
- Encourage interdisciplinary collaboration to improve buy-in.
- Apply active listening and conflict resolution skills to address resistance.
Example:
If nurses resist a new documentation process, explain the evidence-based benefits and provide hands-on training sessions.
5. Measuring Outcomes
Measurement ensures that your change is producing desired results.
- Define key performance indicators (KPIs) such as reduced fall rates, increased patient satisfaction scores, or lower readmission rates.
- Use pre- and post-intervention data to compare outcomes.
- Include both quantitative data (statistics) and qualitative feedback (staff and patient perceptions).
Writing Tips for Assessment 2
1. Follow the Required Structure
A clear outline helps meet all rubric criteria:
- Introduction – Introduce the clinical problem and purpose.
- Background – Describe the significance of the problem.
- Literature Review – Summarize and evaluate evidence.
- Proposed Change – Explain your evidence-based intervention.
- Implementation – Describe steps, leadership, and communication strategies.
- Evaluation – Define how you will measure success.
- Conclusion – Reinforce the importance of your proposal.
2. Maintain Scholarly Tone
- Avoid first-person pronouns unless allowed.
- Use APA 7th edition formatting for citations and references.
- Write in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
3. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing a topic with little to no recent research.
- Presenting personal opinions instead of evidence-based reasoning.
- Overlooking organizational culture and feasibility in your proposal.
- Forgetting to include measurable outcomes.
Example Outline for a Falls Prevention Project
Title: Reducing Patient Falls in a Medical-Surgical Unit Through Hourly Rounding NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 2 is a valuable exercise in integrating nursing leadership, evidence-based practice, and change management. By selecting a relevant clinical issue, thoroughly reviewing the literature, and creating a well-structured change proposal, you can develop skills that directly enhance patient care quality. Effective leadership, communication, and outcome measurement will ensure that your intervention is both impactful and sustainable.
- Introduction
Falls in hospitalized patients can lead to injuries, extended stays, and increased NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 2 healthcare costs. The purpose of this project is to evaluate hourly rounding as a falls prevention strategy. - Background
Current hospital falls rate exceeds the national benchmark of 3.4 falls per 1,000 patient days. - Literature Review
Studies show hourly rounding reduces falls by improving patient monitoring, addressing needs proactively, and increasing staff visibility. - Proposed Change
Implement hourly rounding in the medical-surgical unit, with standardized documentation and staff training. - Implementation Plan
- Training sessions for all nurses.
- Launch over a 3-month trial period.
- Regular audits for compliance.
- Evaluation
Compare pre- and post-intervention falls data and collect staff/patient satisfaction surveys. - Conclusion
Hourly rounding is an evidence-based, cost-effective method to enhance patient safety and reduce falls.
Conclusion
NURS FPX 4015 Assessment 2 is a valuable exercise in integrating nursing leadership, evidence-based practice, and change management. By selecting a relevant clinical issue, thoroughly reviewing the literature, and creating a well-structured change proposal, you can develop skills that directly enhance patient care quality. Effective leadership, communication, and outcome measurement will ensure that your intervention is both impactful and sustainable.
